Andres Iniesta has rubbished suggestions he ever considered reuniting with Pep Guardiola at Manchester City.
The 34-year-old signed for J.League outfit Vissel Kobe in May after calling time on a long and decorated career at Barcelona.
Reports in England claimed former manager Guardiola would attempt to hijack the deal by taking him to Etihad Stadium in a player-coach capacity.
But the Spain international asserted he would not join a potential opponent of Barca and has now confirmed no discussions were ever held.
Zero. I have seen that in the press it emerged that there had been contact. I tell you that there were zero conversations in that sense, Iniesta told Spanish radio station Cadena COPE.
I left no room for doubt. I was leaving Barca to leave Europe, so that information did not make any sense.
GAL MORNING!!! left a lot to us!
This unforgettable goal it s an example!
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona)
Iniesta s final assignment before he heads to Japan is a trip to a fourth World Cup, which he will be attempting to win for the second time after scoring the decisive goal in the 2010 final.
Spain s first match in Russia is against Portugal on June 15 and Iniesta is well aware of the need to keep a close watch on Real Madrid rival Cristiano Ronaldo.
Cristiano is a fundamental player for any team he is in and for Portugal, they are the current European champions, he said.
I am left with the feeling that Portugal is a team that [is difficult] to hurt, that it is very hard to beat them and we will have to perform at the highest level.
